Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,750 Watt 11 HP OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator With Electric Start (Non-CARB Compliant) #030242
Feature
- 8,750 Surge Watts/6,200 Rated Watts
- Electric Start
- PowerSurge alternator provides extra surge wattage to start multiple motor driven tools or appliances simultaneously
- Lo-Tone muffler keeps noise levels to a minimum
- Not For Sale In California/Non-CARB Compliant
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CustomerReviews
Don't even need the electric start.
This generator has started on the first pull every time so far. I haven't even tried the electric start. It runs perfectly. I highly recommend it.
Beware of the carburetor, battery
Review update 12/24/09:
After writing to Briggs & Stratton corporate reps, I am receiving one half of the repair price for the carburetor problem described below--more than fair, considering the machine is 18 months out of warranty. My caution about starting the machine EVERY WEEK still applies, though. The rep told me that the manual warns that the generator must be started every week, and it does, but only if you don't add gasoline stabilizer, which I do. With stabilizer, the manual states explicitly (page 20 under "Storage"), the generator is supposed to be good to go, without starting it weekly, for 24 months.
I'm not disparaging the machine or the company. But I, and the repairman who has had a lot of experience with the Nikkei carburetor on the machine, agree that B&S could do more to either improve the carburetor or, at the least, get out the word that, even with gasoline stabilizer, the machine needs to be started... frequently. The alternative is to put the machine into deep storage, according to the manual: "Run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel." This may be the better option. I don't know.
I've had the generator for 3 1/2 years and, up until two weeks ago, it pull-started and ran well--but the battery was dead, despite the trickle / float charger. During our last storm, I wheeled it out of the garage and ran it 20 minutes. Two hours later, when we lost power, I couldn't get it started. Even with fresh fuel with stabilizer, the gas in the bowl of the carburetor will varnish. What happened to my generator, according to the rep, as well as the repairman I eventually got to come to the house,is this: varnish (looks like gummy oil) built up; the engine started and ran for 20 minutes, loosening the varnish; two hours later, the varnish particles clogged the tiny fuel jets in the carburetor's "needle") and it would no longer start. I got lucky in that I found a small engine repairmen who makes house calls. I have no way of getting this 200 lb. guy to a repair shop. The repairman has the same engine and same carburetor and has repaired several generators with the Nikkei carburetor. He said that, when he complained to Briggs and Stratton that a cleaned carburetor would clog up again and again, Briggs and Stratton told him to simply replace carburetors at $95 a pop. So, he actually had one on hand and he replaced it: $65 for the housecall and service; $95 for the carburetor.His advice is to run the generator every month for several minutes. He does this with his own and has not had problems. The trick is to burn the fuel lingering in the system, cleaning out the system (the fuel stabilizer helps do this, and you can use "Sea Foam" in your fuel, too--available at car parts stores).
Regarding the battery:
The battery will just get you out of warranty. They're good for less than 3 years. I'm 58 and got the electric start for a good reason (you know why) and, naively thought the battery would be fine as long as it stayed on trickle charge (which comes with the generator). After some research, I learned that the generator uses a 12 volt battery. I bought a car-sized 12 volt marine battery with deep cold cranking power (CCA 500 amps). It does a great job and should last. I picked up a serious battery trickle charger ($35), not the palm-sized one that comes with the generator. This isn't a perfect set up: The battery obviously cannot be mounted on the generator, but I just connect the battery, start the generator, disconnect the battery and wheel it out of the garage--from now on, once a week.
Good generator
Purchased this generator for my elderly Parents. It works well. The float charger keeps the battery well charged and it starts on the first or second try every time.
Two issues 1 the packaging did not provide adequate protection for the contents. The bottle of oil that came the the unit was damaged and leaked oil. The unit had a spot where the paint was scratched. The machine is less noisy than I expected. You really don't hear it from inside the house.
This generator met our expectations.
Easy setup. Had it up and running in no time. Nice power output for size.
I've Got The Power!
It's actually almost a year and a half since I purchased the Briggs & Stratton 6200-Watt Generator at Amazon. And just as I figured, after making the purchase, we've not lost power for any great length of time that really required powering this baby up...that is until this past weekend. And, man, am I glad I had the generator.
First of all, I have well-water where I live. No power = no water because the pump won't work without power (duh). We had guests this weekend, and with no power for 24 hours, the toilets would have gotten...okay, you get the idea.
Plus it was the weekend, and without the generator the beer would have gotten warm (nooooo!). We have the generator set up to run not only our main refrigerator, but also a mini.
Also on the generator are heat/hot water (oil burner), kitchen lights, living room lights and the wall sockets in the kitchen and living room that include a TV/DVD player. The central air conditioning in my house would be a bit too much for the B & S 6200, so thank goodness it wasn't one of those 95 degree weekends. The 6200 gives you just enough power for the essentials (and a TV!).
The 6200 has an electric starter that's super convenient, but in between uses you might consider completely disconnecting the battery, or charging it every now and then by running the machine. I did not follow my own advice and had to use the pull start this past weekend, which was simple and effortless...the 6200 started on the first pull.
I highly recommend this little 6200-Watt machine. All in all.....it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!
More Info: Look Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,750 Watt 11 HP OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator With Electric